Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

C-section

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Cesarean section
Cesarean section
Cesarean section
Cesarean section
Cesarean section
Cesarean section
C-section - series
C-section - series

Alternative names    Return to top

Abdominal delivery; Abdominal birth; Cesarean section

Definition    Return to top

A C-section, also called a cesarean section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical abdominal incision.

Description    Return to top

A C-section delivery is performed when a vaginal birth is not possible or is not safe for the mother or child.

Surgery is usually done while the woman is awake but anesthetized from the chest to the legs by epidural or spinal anesthesia. An incision is made across the abdomen just above the pubic area. The uterus is opened, the amniotic fluid is drained, and the baby is delivered.

The baby's mouth and nose are cleared of fluids, and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The baby is handed to the pediatrician or nurse who will make sure that breathing is normal. The mother is awake and she can hear and see her baby.

Due to a variety of medical and social factors, C-sections have become fairly common -- about 26% of all births in the United States in 2002 were C-sections.

Indications    Return to top

The decision to have a C-section delivery can depend on the obstetrician, the delivery location, and the woman's past deliveries or medical history. Some of the main reasons for C-section instead of vaginal delivery include the following:

Reasons related to the baby:

Reasons related to the mother:

Problems with labor or delivery:

Problems with the placenta or unbilical cord:

Risks    Return to top

C-sections have become very safe procedures. The rate of serious complications, such as maternal death related to C-section delivery, is extremely low.

However, certain risks are higher after C-section than after vaginal delivery:

Risks due to anesthesia:

Risks related to surgery:

Additional risks specific to C-section:

Expectations after surgery    Return to top

Most mothers and infants recover well, with few problems.

Women who have C-section deliveries can often have a normal vaginal delivery with later pregnancies, depending on the type of C-section performed and the reason the C-section was performed.

About two-thirds of women who attempt a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) delivery are successful. However, there is a small risk of uterine rupture associated with VBAC attempts, which can endanger the mother and the baby. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of VBAC with your obstetric health care provider.

Convalescence    Return to top

The average hospital stay after C-section is 2 to 4 days. Recovery takes longer than it would from a natural birth. Walking is encouraged the day of surgery to speed recovery. Pain can be managed with oral medications.

Update Date: 4/14/2004

Updated by: Dominic Marchiano, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

adam.com logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.